The last month has been busy, full of Olympics, and not enough movies! But I still plan to catch up after the big event this Sunday night. In thinking about who will win, I found this link to be very cool: http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20140225-what-will-win-best-picture
Right now I'm leaning toward 12 Years A Slave but we'll see!
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Lee Daniels' The Butler
Lee Daniels' The Butler (Lee Daniels, 2013)
Click here for the basics
Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ
Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2
Civil Rights, Based on True Story, Biopic, Drama
From time to time I enjoy a historical/biopic film like Lee Daniels' The Butler. This one was emotional, had good performances, and left me feeling generally more optimistic about our culture. This is a good thing, as so many films today do just the opposite. Both styles have their place and value in film. Forrest Whitaker does a fabulous job tackling this character and portraying the patient and loyal kind of heroism.
--Don't understand the ratings? Click here
Monday, February 10, 2014
Sherlock Season 3
Sherlock Season 3 (Mark Gatiss and Stephen Moffat, 2013)
Click here for the basics
Rating: DSQ=12, SP=8 / Decadence
Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=4, Scale E=4
Mystery, BBC, Sherlock Holmes, Adaptation, Thriller, Sharp Dialogue
The first season of Sherlock was about introductions (or re-introductions): reassuring die-hard Doyle lovers that this show was going to stay true to the stories and still exceed all expectations for any modern-day adaptation. The second was about solidifying: establishing loyal fans (and possibly a cultish reputation) through more marvelous reinventions of the characters and classic mysteries. There arguably has been no better James Moriarty, John Watson, Mycroft Holmes, or Sherlock. I mean, Benedict Cumberbatch completely exudes Sherlock. And how can you not love Andrew Scott's creepy/sexy villain? Anyway...
Season three is most definitely different. Gatiss and Moffat have turned a corner with our beloved characters and now the emphasis is on relationships: the sibling rivalry between Sherlock and Mycroft, the love and marriage of John and Mary, the complex friendship of John and Sherlock, etc. In fact, the episodes do not center around a crime to solve (well, you could say that they still center around a mystery, though). The fascination with how the characters interact and how Sherlock "thinks" is enough to keep watching. And that is a pretty amazing feat for any show, especially an adaptation.
Season three is most definitely different. Gatiss and Moffat have turned a corner with our beloved characters and now the emphasis is on relationships: the sibling rivalry between Sherlock and Mycroft, the love and marriage of John and Mary, the complex friendship of John and Sherlock, etc. In fact, the episodes do not center around a crime to solve (well, you could say that they still center around a mystery, though). The fascination with how the characters interact and how Sherlock "thinks" is enough to keep watching. And that is a pretty amazing feat for any show, especially an adaptation.
--Don't understand the ratings? Click here
Monday, January 27, 2014
Downton Abbey Seasons 1-3
Downton Abbey Seasons 1-3 (Julian Fellowes, 2011-2013)
Click here for the basics
Season 1 Rating: DSQ=11, SP=6 / Can't Get Enough
Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=3, Scale D=3, Scale E=3
Season 2 Rating: DSQ=12, SP=6 / Can't Get Enough
Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=4, Scale D=3, Scale E=3
Season 3 Rating: DSQ=11, SP=4 / Can't Get Enough
Scale A=4, Scale B=4, Scale C=3, Scale D=2, Scale E=2
Early 20th Century, Drama, Upstairs/Downstairs, Aristocracy, Class
This is a truly fantastic series that seduces viewers subtly, just like the characters do each other. I found the first season amazing in the quality of cinematography, costume, set decoration, story, and characters. The acting didn't thoroughly amaze me (except for the amazing Maggie Smith) but I was drawn in by every nuance of the world. I liked to watch the interactions, the gossip, the upholding and then bending and sometimes breaking of rules. I especially found the Crawley sister relationships interesting (I had a fondness for Sybil).
The second season got even more interesting, twists and turns of the plot got more risky and the characters bloomed. Anna and Bates' relationship was definitely the highlight, Sybil running off with the chauffeur was exciting. Ultimately, the changes brought about by World War I added a new dynamic to the world of Downton and its inhabitants.
I just recently finished watching the third season and, interestingly, I was slightly disappointed. While many of the stories were surprising, most were predictable or too melodramatic. The characters didn't really grow --with the exceptions of Tom Branson and maybe Edith-- and way too much death happened (I was willing to believe in a little, but not a lot). I was hoping for the writers to do more with the dramatic changes in Britain at that time, though the introduction of Rose does start this. I was also hoping to see a little "behind the scenes" stability in the family but instead those years are skipped over. Oh well. Still a marvelous show and I am excited for the fourth season.
The second season got even more interesting, twists and turns of the plot got more risky and the characters bloomed. Anna and Bates' relationship was definitely the highlight, Sybil running off with the chauffeur was exciting. Ultimately, the changes brought about by World War I added a new dynamic to the world of Downton and its inhabitants.
I just recently finished watching the third season and, interestingly, I was slightly disappointed. While many of the stories were surprising, most were predictable or too melodramatic. The characters didn't really grow --with the exceptions of Tom Branson and maybe Edith-- and way too much death happened (I was willing to believe in a little, but not a lot). I was hoping for the writers to do more with the dramatic changes in Britain at that time, though the introduction of Rose does start this. I was also hoping to see a little "behind the scenes" stability in the family but instead those years are skipped over. Oh well. Still a marvelous show and I am excited for the fourth season.
--Don't understand the ratings? Click here
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